Should I Refurbish or Replace My Stairs? A UK Homeowner’s Guide

Thinking about giving your stairs a makeover, but unsure which route to take? Many UK homeowners face this exact decision when their stairs start showing their age or no longer match their home’s style.

Here’s the simple answer: When your structure is sound, refurb it. When it isn’t, replace it. For most UK homes, a made-to-measure balustrade refurb delivers the look and safety you want in a day, for a fraction of a full staircase replacement cost, while keeping you on the right side of Building Regulations.

Quick Decision Checklist for UK Homeowners

Use this straightforward checklist to determine whether refurbishment or replacement makes sense for your stairs:

Signs You Can Refurbish 

• Stairs feel solid underfoot with no wobbling
• Handrails are secure (minor looseness can be fixed)
• Steps and structure are sound, just dated or worn
• You want to modernise the look with glass or new spindles
• Current dimensions meet Building Regulations Part K
• Budget considerations favour a more cost-effective solution

Signs You May Need Replacement 

• Visible rot in strings, treads, or supporting timber
• Significant wobble in the structure or newel posts
• Stairs don’t meet current Building Regulations (pitch over 42°, inadequate headroom)
• Major structural damage or settlement issues
• Non-standard dimensions that can’t be made compliant

Building Regulations Quick Check

Your stairs should meet these UK standards:

• Maximum pitch: 42 degrees
• Rise: Typically ≤220mm per step
• Going: Typically ≥220mm per step
• Headroom: Approximately 2m minimum
• Baluster gaps: ≤100mm to prevent falls

Not sure about your measurements? A quick check with a tape measure and spirit level will tell you. StairFurb’s measuring guides can walk you through this step-by-step.

UK Staircase Costs: Refurbishment vs Replacement Compared

Here’s what you can realistically expect to pay for both approaches in 2025:

Refurbishment Cost Breakdown

• Glass balustrade kit: £850-£1,500+ (depending on length and style)
• Spindle balustrade kit: Similar price range
• Individual stair parts: Handrails from £40-£120, spindles £30-£150
• Professional fitting: £200-£400 if you prefer not to DIY
• Interest-free finance available on orders over £1,200

Replacement Hidden Costs

• Removal of old staircase: £300-£600
• Structural modifications: £500-£2,000+
• Plastering and making good: £200-£500
• Decorating surrounding areas: £300-£800
• Potential building control fees: £150-£300

The numbers speak for themselves. Refurbishment typically costs 30-70% less than full replacement whilst delivering a stunning result.

Understanding UK Building Regulations Made Simple

Part K of the Building Regulations covers stairs. Key requirements include:

• Maximum pitch: 42 degrees
• Rise: Typically ≤220mm per step
• Going: Typically ≥220mm per step
• Headroom: Approximately 2m minimum
• Baluster gaps: ≤100mm to prevent falls

Most internal stair work doesn’t need planning permission, except for listed buildings. StairFurb’s kits are designed to meet current regulations, and our measuring guides help ensure compliance.

What to Expect in Terms of Timeline and Disruption

Refurbishment: 3-week delivery, 4-8 hours installation, stairs usable overnight
Replacement: 2-6 weeks total, 1-4 days installation, stairs unusable during work

Refurbishment creates minimal dust and disruption, with most mess contained to the immediate stair area. Replacement generates significant debris and affects multiple rooms during finishing.

The Environmental Case for Refurbishment

Choosing refurbishment over replacement isn’t just good for your wallet; it’s better for the planet. Keeping your existing stair structure significantly reduces embodied carbon, and UK guidance increasingly favours refurbishing existing structures where safe to do so.

Refurbishment generates a fraction of the waste compared to full replacement, with most old components being relatively small spindles and handrails rather than entire structural elements.

StairFurb Refurbishment Solutions

Glass Balustrade Kits

Our glass balustrade kits come in two styles:

• Clamped systems: Glass panels held by stainless steel clamps
• Embedded systems: Glass panels inset into grooved rails for a seamless look

All glass is 8mm toughened safety glass, independently tested and certified to BS EN 12150.

Spindle Balustrade Kits

Spindle kits blend traditional and contemporary styles:

• Oak & steel combinations
• Classic wooden options in various timber species

Ready2Paint Options

Perfect for creating a custom look that matches your existing décor. All components come primed and ready for your chosen finish.

Individual Components

Need just a handrail or replacement spindles? Our Parts Shop stocks individual components for smaller repairs or custom projects.

Quality Promise: 10-year guarantee, Price Match Promise, made in the UK, Building Regulations compliant by design.

See the Transformation Potential

StairFurb’s Ambassador Showhome network lets you see real installations in homes across the UK. These aren’t showrooms but actual customers’ homes where you can view completed projects and speak with homeowners about their experience.

Our customer gallery and video testimonials showcase the transformation potential of balustrade refurbishment, demonstrating how different styles work in various home types from period properties to modern builds.

Frequently Asked Questions